Evince Magazine November 2023

Keep Fighting

Until We Get There p5

Page 2 November 2023

Evince Magazine Page 3

November 2023

Content

Fighting 5 Keep Until We Get There

by Paul Seiple

7 An Impromptu The Writers’ Page– Chapter Nine

Approach

by Barry Koplen

9 Action!

Inside the

Method of Acting Mark Harrelson

You 12 Movies Missed from 20 years ago

by Josh Lucia

by Emily Wilkerson

Water 11Water, Everywhere

14 Pyramid of Values

by Mack Williams

Presented by Showcase Magazine

Plant Story XIII

CEO / Publisher / Andrew Scott Brooks

by Linda Lemery

Editorial Director / Paul Seiple editor@evincemagazine.com

8 November Calender

Contributing Writers Barry Koplen, Linda Lemery, Josh Lucia, Paul Seiple, Mack Williams, Emily Wilkerson

On the Cover: For a Dollar.

Art & Production Director Demont Design (Kim Demont) Finance Manager Cindy Yeatts (1.434.709.7349) cindy@showcasemagazine.com Advertising For ad information contact a marketing consultant listed below.

Lee Vogler Director of Sales and Marketing (434.548.5335) lee@showcasemagazine.com Kim Demont Graphic Design, Marketing (434.792.0612) demontdesign@verizon.net evince\i-’vin(t)s\ 1: to constitute outward evidence of 2: to display clearly; reveal syn see SHOW

Deadline for this and all other stories, articles, and calendar items is Wednesday, November 15 at 5:00pm for the January issue. Please send calendar info to demontdesign@verizon.net.

Editorial Policies

Evince is a free monthly magazine about Arts and Culture in Danville and the surrounding area. We reserve the right to accept, reject and edit all submissions and advertisements.

EVINCE MAGAZINE 753 Main St. Suite 3 Danville, VA 24541 www.evincemagazine.com 434.709.7349 © 2023 All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part in any medium without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Keep Fighting Until We Get There

P. 5

Page 4 November 2023

Evince Magazine Page 5

F

or a Dollar, a local indie band sprinkled with heavy rock influences began at Carter’s Music & Art School in 2018. The student band formed under instructor Noah Carter (who also plays guitar) and school director Vernon Carter. After years of personal growth and hard work, the current line-up comprises lead singers Braiden Burke and Emily Morrison, guitarists Noah Carter and Cade Bohannon, bassist Zachary Davis, and drummer Jonathan Guynn.

creativity and the opportunity to express my feelings and thoughts any way I am able is why I fell in love with music and writing and playing guitar.”

For the last two years, For a Dollar has been road warriors, touring heavily through Virginia, North Carolina, and Washington, DC, perfecting its sound. The effort cultivated with the band releasing its first two single last August and the first EP coming in December.

Another essential tool for musicians is creativity. For a Dollar finds the creative spark by balancing open minds with honesty among each other. It also helps that each member plays multiple instruments. “We always have a well of creativity to draw from and support each other’s ideas as we write and come up with new songs,” Carter said. The band cites one of the most creative minds in music, Jack White, as a dream collaboration. “He has inspired many of our songs, and we cover many of his multiple bands’ songs.”

For a Dollar’s love of music from an early age and an eye for creativity is the basis for coming together. “When I was a kid, I became enamored with the soundtracks in my favorite Nintendo games while I played, and as I grew, that love for music and listening and writing my music only blossomed into something I feel like I could never live without,” Davis said.

Bohannon added, “The option for

A key ingredient in the artistry of music is inspiration. The band finds that in each other and uses it to strengthen the bond within the group. “We are all great friends and always look to each other in life. That helps push us forward and stay inspired,” Carter said.

Being skilled in multiple instruments gives an added dimension to the band. When

asked about her favorite instrument, Morrison said, “Usually I would say guitar or ukulele, but I’ve recently gotten back into piano. I learned when I was a lot younger, and lost interest, but now it just brings me back to those times whenever I play.” Burke, who mainly sings for the band, said, “My favorite I’d have to say is guitar, simply because of how versatile and fun it is to play.”

Along with recording original music, For a Dollar has aspirations of being a household name just as its dream collaborator, Jack White. A piece of advice from a food truck owner in Raleigh fuels this goal. Carter said, “He told us we need to ‘keep going no what anyone says.’ And one day, he would see us on a national stage and to keep fighting until we got there.”

The music business is a tough gig, but For a Dollar has plenty of fight left.

For more information and to listen to the music, find For a Dollar at @foradollarband on Instagram or For A Dollar on Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify.

Find the full interview with For a Dollar at evincemagazine.com.

Keep Fighting Until We Get There

by Paul Seiple photo courtesy of For a Dollar

Page 6 November 2023

Danville Museum OF FINE ARTS AND HISTORY

Marsh Legacy Exhibition View the artwork by Students of Robert Marsh Exhibition: October 8 - December 23, 2023

November 3-5, 2023 River City Players present

s e h c t i W

The Kitchen A hilarious play whipped up

by Caroline Smith

Friday, Nov. 3 & Saturday, Nov. 4 • 7:30 - 9:30pm Sunday, Nov. 5 • 2:30 - 4:30pm Tickets sold on Eventbrite.com

Saturday, December 2

Victorian Holiday for Children

10:30–12 noon • Ages 4 -10 years

Tickets: $8.00 per child - no charge for adults Child must be accompanied by an adult

Tickets sold on Eventbrite.com

Saturday, December 9 Danville Historical Society presents

The Golden Jubilee Holiday Tour: Celebrating 50 Years of Preservation and Renewal 11AM - 5PM • Tour includes the Danville Museum Tickets will be available at the Museum beginning Thanksgiving weekend.

All events will be held at 975 Main Street, Danville, VA Monday - Friday | 10am-5pm Sat | Noon-5pm • Sun | 2pm-5pm 434-793-5644 • info@danvillemuseum.org

danvillemuseum.org

Evince Magazine Page 7

The Writers’ Page Chapter Nine

An Impromptu Approach

by Barry Koplen

13 Foods That Help Your Body Produce Collagen

A

lthough I wanted to write, I didn’t know where to begin because I hadn’t chosen a topic. That’s when I saw David, a thoughtful young man I regard as a friend. “Please suggest a topic for me to write about,” I requested. Minutes later, he shared an idea that fascinated me. That’s why I wrote the piece that follows.

-------------------------------------Because I’d told David he could pick any topic for me to write about, I expected him to mention something unusual.

Despite that, I was surprised by his suggestion.

“Why don’t you write about illnesses that people have that can’t be seen. You know, if you look at them, they don’t appear to be ill.”

“Interesting idea, David. How’d you happen to think of that?”

With a smile, he instructed me to take a close look at him. That wasn’t difficult. He was standing behind the narrow counter I was in front of. “I’m one of those people.”

Although I believed him, I also knew that I couldn’t detect an obvious illness. David was fit and had always seemed happy.

“Years ago, I was diagnosed with a collagen deficiency that tightened the ligaments in my neck. It was hard to raise my head,” he added, as he pointed to the side of his neck that had caused him trouble with holding his head high and straight.

From the little I’d known about his collagen issue; I was surprised that it hadn’t been dealt with nutritionally. When I mentioned that to David, he shrugged then commented that he’d wondered about that too.

Since he was at work, I offered to research his problem. He seemed pleased that I wanted to.

My research didn’t take long.

Relying on trustworthy articles, I found information I was eager to share. In an article by the Cleveland Clinic titled: Why Your Collagen Depletes With Age Tips on How to Rebuild Your Levels I not only read about the various dietary choices that would eliminate a collagen deficiency, but also read that there was an easy and simple cure mentioned by Dr. Bradley, the Medical Director of the Center for Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. It follows: The surest way to help your body produce collagen is by feeding it enough protein and other nutrients. It can be as easy as drinking one cup a day of bone broth or another beverage mixed with hydrolyzed collagen powder.

As good as that news would be, I wanted to be certain that the one-a-day therapy could be verified. Again, I searched, then found this on Healthline:

A moment later, I scrolled to the list of foods and was pleased to find that the first item was bone broth. Since I wanted to provide David with other items to add to his menu, I made this list of the dozen other collagen building foods: Chicken, fish, egg whites, citrus fruits, berries, tropical fruits, garlic, leafy greens, beans, cashews, tomatoes, and bell peppers.

Along with the list came a warning that sugar and refined carbs “can damage collagen”.

As a final tip that a busy guy like David might need to know, the writer, a nutritionist, Sarah Garone, NDTR, offered this as an alternative: That said, collagen isn’t only for smooth, elastic skin. Collagen may also help with joint pain, muscles, or digestion. So, if collagen supplements sound more accessible to your routine and wallet, we say it’s worth a try.

When I see David tomorrow, I’ll ask him to let me know whether he thinks this information will be useful. If so, I may write about the good changes that come.

Page 8 November 2023

November 8

November

Calendar of Evince

Ongoing

Danville Science Center. Exhibits - Dinosaur Revolution, Go!, Water, Various Dome Shows, Creativity Labs, Experiences & Stream Into The V.O.I.D. www.dsc.smv.org.

Ruby B. Archie Public Library Programs - Don’t miss the programs offered at the Library. Whodunit Book Club, Adult & Tween Arts & Crafts, Maker Mondays, The Write Stuff, Puzzlers Club, Unrequired Reading – Classics Book Club, Classic Movie Club, NaNoWriMo, Friendsgiving, Youth Dungeons and Dragons, LEGO Brick Engineers, Little Explorers Storytime, Little Learning Lab, Gobble Good Fun, Tree House Tuesday, Preschool Picassos, Book Babies.

Thru December 23

Marsh Legacy Exhibition. DMFAH. See ad page

November 1

Wednesday Club Program.

Watercolor-Loose & Free Floral.

3:15pm. Wednesday Club.

434.251.5135.

November 1 (thru 18)

Prolific Icons Exhibit. Celebrating several Icons who made a major contribution to Caswell Co., NC. Exhibit opening 11/1 11am-2pm.

Caswell Arts Gallery, Yanceyville.

336.694.4474.

November 2

Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience. $. 7:30pm.

Prizery. 434.572.8339.

November 2 (thru 25)

Live Music. 11/3 Wicked Karaoke; 11/4 Blue Drive; 11/10 The LoOG; 11/11 Mystic Muse; 11/17 Andy Burnett Trio; 11/18 Stomping Ground; 11/24 Decatur St.; 11/25 Donnie Fitzgerald & Ron Turner. 7-10pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co.

November 3

Dia De Los Muertos Block Party.

Live entertainment, arts, crafts, face painting, kids activities, photo exhibit & food trucks. 6pm. 500 Block of Craghead St. Schoolfield 1st Fridays - Kids activities, a market with great vendors and music by The League of Ordinary Gentlemen. 5-8pm. Schoolfield Village.

November 3, 4 & 5

The Kitchen Witches. Play about two mature cable access cooking show hostesses, who have hated each other for over thirty years,

have to work on the same TV show.

7:30pm/2:30pm. The River City Players. DMFAH. See ad page 6.

November 4

Wobble and Gobble Autism Awareness 5K. 8:30am. Danville Science Center.

Shred Out for Hunger. Fundraiser for God’s Storehouse. Bring a donation of at least 10 canned goods to have a box of papers shredded. Donations also accepted. 9am-12pm.

434.793.3663.

Holiday Bazaar. Vendors, baked goods, crafts, home decor and more. 9am-1pm. Fairview Church.

Art Exhibit. Local artists exhibit many beautiful pieces.11am-2pm. Dan River Antiques. haileydossbiz@gmail. com.

November 4, 11 & 18

MSAC Classes. 11/4 Barn Quilt Painting Class 11am-3pm; 11/11 Fused Glass Ornaments 11am; 11/18 Weave a Basket 11am-2pm. $. Main Street Art Collective.

November 4

Wine in the Vines Festival. 7 wineries, beer, food trucks, craft vendors and music. 12-6pm. Homeplace Vineyard. 434.432.9463.

Spring Street Music Fest. Featuring wine tastings and live bands. $.

2-7pm. Culture Restaurant & Grill.

Mommy Son Dance. 5pm.

Registration required. 434.797.8898 x4.

Masquerade Ball. Fundraiser for community projects. Open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and music.

Black tie optional but recommended.

Danville After Hours Rotary. $. 6-10pm.

Knitting Mill, 525 Lynn Street.

Live Music. Stomping Ground. 6pm.

Buck’s Roadside Grill. 434.709.2445.

Epic 80’s Party. 80’s pop, dance, and rock favorites. 7pm. Factory Street Brewing Co., South Boston.

November 4 (thru January 13) PAA Exhibit. Watercolors by Z.L. Feng, The Journey: Portraits by Dianne L. Greene & Venus Inferred: Annie Waldrop. Piedmont Arts.

276.632.3221.

November 5 (thru 26)

Live Music. Hosted by Stuart Jennings.

Sundays 2-6pm. 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co.

November 6 (thru 12)

Danville Fashion Week. Enjoy a night of fashion, music, and entertainment with a stage for independent designers, and models.

434.226.0682.

Wednesday Club Program.

Book Review - Echoes of Sandy Creek reviewed by author Joseph Lovell. 3:15pm. Wednesday Club.

434.251.5135.

Assault on Anglers Race Series.

Take on multiple trails each month while crossing streams, rocks, and roots. $. 6-8pm. playdanvilleva.com.

434.799.5150.

November 9

Elliot Engel: The Cold Genius of Robert Frost. Presenting a wealth of fascinating details concerning Frost’s extraordinary life, which shaped both his art and his relationships with his family and fellow writers. $. Optional dinner 6pm. Lecture 7pm. Piedmont Arts. 276.632.3221.

November 9 (thru 12)

Tobacco Road Cutting Horse Futurity. 11/9 2pm; 11/10-12 9am.

434.432.8026. Olde Dominion Agricultural Center.

November 10

VIR Charity Laps. Race your own car on the full 3.27 mile course. $. Virginia International Raceway.

November 11

Give Thanks for Smiles. Proceeds for God’s Storehouse. $. 8am-1pm.

Appointment required. Danville Dental Associates. 434.710.4070.

MSAC Christmas Open House. 10am5pm. Main Street Art Collective.

Bright Leaf Brew Fest. Sample from over 100 different beers, enjoy live music, and eat delicious food. $.

11am-5:30pm. Danville Community Market. https://brightleafbrewfest. com/tickets.

November 12

A Musical Afternoon with Kenyon & John Scott. This father/son duo will enchant everyone with their engaging performances on the piano and violin. $. 3pm. Wednesday Club.

434.251.5135.

November 15

Wednesday Club Program. Auditing Classes at Averett as a Senior Citizen. 3:15pm. Wednesday Club.

434.251.5135.

November 18

5K Run & Walk Fundraiser. Kids Fun Run-9:30am & 5k run/walk10am. $. Anglers Park. https:// runsignup.com/Race/VA/Danville/ DonnaWyatt5KRunWalk.

Youth Talent Show. Dance, sing, magic, lip-sync, act, martial arts, poetry, comedy, music and more.

Ages 5-191 pm. 1 Community Way. 434.797.8898 x4.

A Christmas Carol Auditions.

Smokestack Theatre Co. See ad page 14.

ODAC Bluegrass Festival. Enjoy local artisans, delicious food, cold beer, and the music of Appalachian Road Show. 3pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex.

November 23

Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk. Get your running shoes ready for a fun run before the meal. $. 8:30am. Danville Otterbots Stadium.

November 24

RDA Window Decorating Contest Deadline. 434.791.0210.

November 25

ODAC Christmas Bazaar. Shop local crafters, artisans, bakers and more.

8am-2pm. Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex. 434.432.8026.

November 29

Wednesday Club Program. River District Assoc. presentation. 3:15pm.

Wednesday Club. 434.251.5135.

November 30

Christmas Tree Lighting. Enjoy holiday music, storytelling Santa, snacks and crafts. 4pm. Gravely-Lester Art Garden. Piedmont Arts. 276.632.3221.

Upcoming December 1

Christmas on the Plaza! We will have appearances of classic holiday movie characters, carolers, children’s activities, visits with Santa and letters to Santa, hot chocolate, cookies, and more! Tree lighting at 5:30pm. Music 6-8pm. 434.791.0210.

Luminaria Walk. Enjoy the walk during the Chistmas on the Plaza. 5pm-8pm.

Winterfest. Santa, games, hot chocolate, outdoor movie and more.

5:30-8pm. Grogan Park, Eden, NC. Hometown Christmas & Mayor’s Tree Lighting. Reidsville. See ad page 15.

December 1 & 2

MSAC Classes. 12/1 Paint a Door Hanger 6pm; 12/2 Make a Live Wreath 11am-12:30pm. $. Main Street Art Collective.

December 2

Victorian Holiday for Children.

DMFAH. See ad page 6.

Holiday Market at the Penn House.

Reidsville. See ad page 15.

Historic Lantern Tour. Reidsville. See ad page 15.

December 3

Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops Spectacular. $. 3pm. Martinsville HS Auditorium. Piedmont Arts.

276.632.3221.

Riverview Rotary A Superhero’s Christmas Parade. 5pm. Main Street, Danville. See ad page 6.

December 6

Wednesday Club Program. An Afternoon of Music by Detra Davis and Anne Lewis. 3:15pm. Wednesday Club. 434.251.5135.

December 9

The Golden Jubilee Holiday Tour.

See ad page 6.

Christmas at The Farm. Artisan, vintage vendors, food trucks, Christmas festivities. $. 9am-2pm. The Gentry Farm. 434.483.0232.

December 10

The Danville Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert. $. 5pm. The Prizery, South Boston.

December 12

Spring to Green Conference Registration Deadline. 336.340.1981, 434.799.6558, or eventbrite.com.

December 16

Wreath Making Class. Sip a glass of wine, nibble on holiday treats, and create your own holiday wreath with KatieDid Florals and Katie WrightThomas. Bring--clippers and gloves. $.

2pm. Historic HW Brown Greenhouse.

Evince Magazine Page 9

Action!

Inside the Method of Acting

Mark Harrelson

by Emily Wilkerson photo courtesy of

Smokestack Theatre Co

A

s a former radio DJ and news reporter, Mark Harrelson is no stranger to the entertainment industry.

Harrelson’s stage debut was in Rumors by Neil Simon, put on

by The Little Theatre of Danville in 1993—a play he has had the pleasure of working on three times now.

Harrelson gained his interest in acting as a young child, while watching westerns and variety shows with his family. He says, “I could see how much enjoyment my family got out of watching those shows. I learned to appreciate how actors and storytellers created characters that brought such enjoyment to the audience and wanted to learn those skills.” That is exactly what he did.

Harrelson says there are multiple parts to preparing for a role. The first is to “read the entire script, all lines, including stage directions, several times.” This allows him to get an idea of the flow of the play, and to learn each of the

characters well. He claims this step is crucial so if something goes wrong while on stage, Harrelson knows the play well enough to ad-lib in a way that would make sense to allow “the show can go on.” Reviewing his cues and lines thoroughly is the next step to help deep root them in his brain. This all must be done whilst piecing together the “person” his character is to become.

Though it is hard to pick, Harrelson says his favorite roles he has played would be Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, and Clarence Oddbody in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.

In reference to It’s a Wonderful Life, he says, “being able to share the stage with a wonderfully talented cast, and having it portray how a radio play was done in radio’s ‘Golden Age’ is a real treat.” With The Glass Menagerie, this show was special to him because “I was lucky enough to work with two legends of theatre in Danville: Barry Haulsee, director, and the

incomparable Liz Goodman as Amanda Wingfield, both of whom taught me a lot about performing on stage.”

Patience is the one word Harrelson claims to be the most important quality for an actor to possess. “Patience with fellow actors, patience with the director, and patience with oneself. Remember, you are all working together to take words written by someone you don’t know, adding in actions you may never have undertaken yourself, and working to turn it all into a believable story for the audience. The process takes time and can be intense.” While patience is most important, he also shares that it is helpful to have “a good memory, quick reflexes, a voice you can make heard in the back row, and a willingness to look absolutely ridiculous (if necessary).”

Harrelson says you could ask a dozen different actors what the hardest thing about acting is, and you would get a dozen different

answers. For him, the hardest part was “building up the nerve to go to that first audition in 1993. I had great doubts that I was ‘good enough.’ Frankly, I still feel that way, but I’ve also learned the truths that ‘if you don’t try, you’ll never know,’ and that life, in general, is full of challenges, on stage and off. If you want something badly enough, you have to go for it, or you’ll never know what you could achieve.”

When asked if he had any advice for aspiring actors, Harrelson jokes, “I’m a Boomer, of course, I have advice.” His best advice is to, “Read everything you can get your hands on. It helps you learn the flow of language. Be observant of others. You may notice mannerisms, an accent, a gait, a funny turn of phrase or something else that you can incorporate into a future character role. Go to plays, watch good movies, study what the actors do to create their characters. And, most importantly, build up the moxie (a real word, you can look it up) to go to that first audition.”

Page 10 November 2023

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Evince Magazine Page 11

Plant XIII:

Water, Water Everywhere (A Plant Dialogue)

by Linda Lemery

L: Sometimes by the homeowner, sometimes nobody at all. It’s up to the owner to test it.

P: Ugh. I see several disgusting plastic water bottles in this wagon trash.

P (aghast): Nobody regulates private water sources?

L: People recycle about 20% of single-use bottles. About 80% go into landfills, litter, or oceans— think floating trash islands. Some degrade into microplastics…

L: For example, people assume spring water comes from deep groundwater, well cleansed by trickling deep into the earth and staying there a long time.

P: And?

cene: Linda pulls the red wagon containing Plant along a major street. She stops to pick up the litter. Plant views each trash deposit into the wagon with increasing distaste..

S

L (frowning): You seem unusually irritable—you usually like walks.

Anyway, I did some reading on clean water. Humans need just under a gallon per day biologically.

Plant: Yuck. My bottom leaves keep getting dirtier from the litter you’re throwing in my wagon.

I am sharing my vehicular transportation with trash while thinking about the human population of Earth. A few walks ago, you told me it was 8 billionplus. Can Earth support that many people?

P: Regarding irritability, read the room. Water from out of the tap or from other sources?

Linda: I’ll wipe your leaves clean—there. All done. But I haven’t ever heard of counting time in walks.

P: Just because you did not think of it does not mean the idea is not relevant. Moving on: How. Many. People. Can. Earth.

Reasonably. Support?

L: Eight billion-plus is a lot of people.

P: You are stalling.

L: “Support” means having shelter, clean water, nutrition, sanitation, reasonable temperatures.

P: You do not know. Focus on just one element in the list to help your tiny mind.

L: Both. The EPA stringently regulates public tap water from city sources. A municipal water treatment plant purifies city water to make sure it’s safe to drink.

P: How much does tap water cost?

L: Sometimes spring water is not deep ground water but rather is just surface water that’s run into the ground and has come back up and out again—it may be contaminated.

P: The trash is piling up in my wagon. Contaminated, like from runoff or flooding?

L: We’re multitasking by cleaning up curb trash. Contamination comes from multiple sources.

One study in Appalachia suggested that 80% of spring water contained E. coli or coliforms–fecal contaminants– that make people sick. If water isn’t tested, who knows how clean it is?

P: Are there other water sources?

L: About $0.005—half a penny — per gallon.

L: Bottled water, for example.

Regulated by the FDA.

P: Water not coming out of a municipal tap comes from where?

P: Do many people drink bottled water?

L: Private water sources like spring water, wells, cisterns. Plant, watch out!

P: Control your trash-flinging, please. You missed me by a leaf-thickness with that flattened, nasty-looking water bottle.

L: Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t aiming at you, Plant.

P: So, private water sources are regulated by whom?

L: Yes. But single-serving bottled water costs almost 2,000 times more than the same amount of tap water. I checked the math.

First, you convert the cost per hundred cubic feet of water.

P: I am astounded by that number. DO NOT rehash the calculations.

L: I was astounded, too. Then there’s the disposal problem for single-use plastic water bottles.

Some countries ban them.

P: …Which are…?

L: …tiny bits of plastic that can cause health problems in seafood, animals, and us.

P: Like what health problems?

L: Contributing to inflammation, disrupting endocrine systems, embedding in intestines, kidneys, liver. About 93% of bottles sampled in multiple countries had microplastics in them.

P: Worrisome. What kind of water do you pour on me?

L: You drink what we drink and cook with: municipal tap water with extra filtering through a pitcher-type filtration system.

P: I like discussing problems, even though you do not have answers other than throwing street trash in my wagon.

L: I like talking with you, too. I’ll continue to filter your water and recycle the trash, but please rein in the cranky comments.

P: Not on your life. If you had to ride nestled in trash, you would be irritated, too.

About the author: Plant and Linda Lemery llemery@gmail.com, thankful for having clean drinking water, wish readers a Happy Thanksgiving. The authors thank Steve Lemery for finding resources (Family Recipes, Water Trouble and “Peerless City,” Inside Appalachia, https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381443598/ inside-appalachia, September 04, 2023; Is Bottled or Tap Water Better for Your Health? https://www.healthline. com/nutrition/tap-water-vs-bottledwater#recommendation; both last accessed 09.07.2023) to help support Linda’s contributions to this Plant conversation.

Page 12 November 2023

“

Movies You Missed

from 20 years ago

by Josh Lucia

Love Actually (6/10 Rating)

Released November 14, 2003 For rent/purchase on all major platforms.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance R: Sexuality, nudity, and language 2h 15m

I enjoy a good Romcom, but I am obsessed with Christmas movies. So, how did I miss Love Actually? I have put it off for years. It just always seemed like too much Romcom packaged together with a bow…and

Once home to the city’s iconic Danville Register Bee newspaper building – reimagined for today’s traveler.

FEATURES & AMENITIES: Free high-speed WiFi | Mini-fridge and Microwave Keurig Coffee Maker | Premium Bath Amenities Iron and Ironing Board | Pet-friendly | Fitness Center Rooftop Deck (seasonal) | Free Parking Large Apartment Style Suites Available

420 Patton Street | Danville, Virginia 24541

T: 434-234-9440 www.danvillebeehotel.com

honestly, that is what it is.

There are literally 8 love stories crammed into this film. You get all the magical moments with none of the work to get there, but maybe that is a good thing. We all know the recipes, so why not fast forward to the good parts?

What this movie has going for it is the cast. I would fill my word count if I named all the British talent on display. And then there are all the cameos. It makes for a fun holiday movie to watch with your wife or girlfriend. Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman, and Bill Nighy should be enough to pique your interest. If you are a fan of Writer/Director Richard Curtis’s other films, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Bridget Jones’s Diary, I would expect you will enjoy this one.

It earns its R rating with some hilarious nude scenes featuring Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) and language throughout. This sets it apart from most Romcoms and holiday movies. It also delves a little too far into fiction at times, which comes across as more silly than romantic. I found myself enjoying it more when I leaned into the comedy and ignored the romance. In fact, most of

the less romantic plot lines were the most interesting. Bill Nighy as an aging rock star and his relationship with his manager is not just great comic relief throughout, but a lovely character arc. As expected, Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson give outstanding performances and lift a few scenes up beyond the writing itself. There’s a funny plot featuring two stand-ins, as a film crew gets shots set up for the real actors and they casually get to know each other in various sexual positions. Overall, it is a cute movie, perfect for date night during the holidays. Worst case, you get to see a lot of interesting actors, including a young Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) speaking in his own accent. Best case, something tugs at your heartstrings and you shed some happy tears this holiday season.

Also released in November of 2003: The Matrix Revolutions, Elf,

Oldboy, Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World, Tupac Resurrection, 21 Grams, Dr. Suess’ The Cat in the Hat, Gothika, Bad Santa, The Haunted Mansion, The Missing (follow @jlucia85 for these reviews and more)

Evince Magazine Page 13

Games

Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 1 In addition 5 Relating to a Duke 10 Dessert 14 Allows 15 Ridged surface 16 Chilled 17 Retired persons association (abbr.)

18 African nation 19 Inflammatory disease 20 Woman’s formal wear 22 Groups 24 Long time 25 Pointed weapon

27 What a hammer hits 29 Concede 32 Zestfulness 35 Taverns 38 Contend 39 Rabbit fur 40 Estimated time of arrival 41 Wheel covers 43 Molder 44 Worm-like stages 46 Wing 47 Fable 48 Pound 49 Sheer, triangular scarf 51 Omit

54 Comforts 57 Punching tool 59 Turgid 62 Prick 64 Punch 66 Gentlewoman 68 6th month (Jewish calendar) 69 Smudge 70 Medicine doses 71 Roman emperor 72 Depend 73 Partly frozen

DOWN 1 Alack’s partner 2 Seeps 3 Take off the paint 4 Hawks 5 10 liters (abbr. for dekaliter) 6 Troop 7 Chop 8 White 9 South American animal 10 Central Intelligence Agency 11 Addition to 12 Beano 13 Adam’s garden 21 Thai 23 Roadway instructions 26 Variety show 28 Drag 30 Liberal (abbr.)

31 Coffee shop order

Word Search Arms Button Carrot Eyes Frosty Hat Mouth Pipe Scarf Snow Snowball Sticks Twigs Winter

Game Solutions on page 15

33 Ride horseback 34 Commitment 35 Pour 36 American state 37 Large amount of 39 Quickly 41 Compulsion 42 Boxer Muhammad 45 Volume (abbr.)

47 Ford hot rod 50 Owns 52 Breaks up with a girlfriend 53 Electronic mail 55 Bedspread feather 56 Trap 57 Shorten (abbr.)

58 Trickery 60 Lazy 61 Glen 63 Expand 65 Cook with oil 67 Mountain Time

Page 14 November 2023

Pyramid of Values

by Mack Williams

A

few days ago, I felt as if I had suddenly entered a security-camera film in which someone is caught stealing at a store.

But It wasn’t me! If this video had existed, it would have been made at ALDI, with me in the background and the “purloining star” in the foreground (well, an “extended foreground”: out the entrance and headed towards the parking lot).

It all started as the cashier was ringing up my loaf of bread, dark chocolate, and a pint of blueberries. I list these only for drawing a comparison between the healthy items, of which I chose to pay, and those unhealthy items (to be later enumerated), which she chose to steal!

“Shoplift” almost sounds like some sort of calisthenic or something from an industrial art class. The Lord called it what really is, in that famous “list” of things, each beginning with” “Thou shalt not.”

Just as the cashier was about to give me my receipt, she jumped up from her seat and called for the aid of a fellow worker; then both bounded out the entrance doors.

They evidently knew to always confront any suspected shoplifting culprit outside of the store. I’m sure this is ALDI store policy; and besides, any of us “Mayberry” fans know what to do, from having watched that episode where, inside the department store, Andy bumped into the little old lady who went “clank!”

Well, the thief, in this case, appeared to be in her 30s and in good health (probably could have beaten me up). She had filled her grocery cart over the brim; and the extra weight of the items no doubt overcame the advantage

of the cart being on wheels, helping the two cashiers catch up with her.

The thief relinquished the cart without a struggle, and my cashier told the thief to never come back.

Then said to her fellow cashier, “We’d better make sure that other door is locked.”

The thief had gone out one door not designated for an exit. I later thought about how she had been like a faucet-sprung stream of water, which finds its way towards filling every empty space within a glass of ice cubes.

When my cashier wheeled the cart back in, its wheels creaking under the weight of the store goods, I saw for what that lady had risked her reputation.

The stolen items were as plain as day (being not bagged, as to have had that happen, she would have properly gone through the checkout line).

Starting off, there were several bottles of wine which were giant (having made the decision to steal, she evidently decided to go big). There were bags of candy, cookies, and one of those huge bags containing many varied little bags (kind of “Matryoshka-like”) of “cheesy-doodledy” things (both soft and crunchy), along with the usual plethora of various flavors of corn chip offerings.

The mega-bottles of wine, along with the cookies, candy, and “doodles” reminded me of when some of us would be having a party back at Appalachian and coming down with a case of the “munchies” (only “the beer and wine munchies.” I neither “lit” nor “inhaled”).

The thief had properly placed (gravity-wise) the “magnums of the vine” below the “boxes and bags

of the crumb and crunch” (if there had been eggs, I feel she would have properly placed them on top, like the Great Pyramid’s white limestone “cap.”

all “party goods.”

At the grocery cart’s bottom was another layer of “magnums,” but these were “magnums” of Tide clothes-washing detergent, along with some bath soaps. So, it wasn’t

But even though “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” her “ultimate choice of the day” crossed out that old standard, as if it had been crossed out on a list!

In the end, the base of this lady’s “food-cart pyramid” was made up of things which aid in cleanliness.

Evince Magazine Page 15

Games Solutions Continued from page 13

Page 16 November 2023